Timer-controlled emergency signal

ABSTRACT

This invention embodies a visual signal in the form of a switch mechanism controlling the ignition of an electric light bulb, together with mechanism which may be set by the user to control the operation of the switch to initiate operation of the signal at any predetermined time. The invention also includes means embodied in the light circuit to cause an intermittent flashing of the light. A remote manually operated switch operable independently of the first control switch at any time the light has not already been ignited by the alarm switch to permit manual control of the energizing and deenergizing of the signal light.

limited States Patet Henry D. Hukill 2478 Breadwater Circle, Sarasota, Fla. 33581 Apr. 10, 1970 Jan. 1 l 197 2 Inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1914 Havgaard 340/3094 Primary Examiner-l-larold l. Pitts Attorney-Rohe Meyer 340/309A 340/309t4 X ABSTRACT: This invention embodies a visual signal in the form ofa switch mechanism controlling the ignition of an electric light bulb, together with mechanism which may be set by the user to control the operation of the switch to initiate operation of the signal at any predetermined time. The invention also includes means embodied in the light circuit to cause an intermittent flashing of the light. A remote manually operated switch operable independently of the first control switch at any time the light has not already been ignited by the alarm switch to permit manual control of the energizing and deenergizing ofthe signal light.

PLUG CLOCK 20 MECHANISM PATENTED JAN] I 1972 3534 47 INVENTOR HENRY HUKILL ATTORNEY TIMER-CONTROLLED EMERGENCY SIGNAL There are many thousands of persons in various sections of the country who, for various reasons, live alone and many of them are subject to spells of illness or other conditions which render them incapable of caring for themselves or for calling for assistance in the usual manner, such as by telephone. In fact, many people, both men and women living alone have been found dead in their homes after a few days, when, if help could have been summoned their lives might have been saved.

It is an object of this invention to provide a clock mechanism operated visual signal which may be placed in a conspicious window of the dwelling in which the lone person resides and upon retiring the person sets the alarm mechanism of the signalling device to operate a flashing visual signal at a predetermined time. For instance, should the person's arising time be 8:30 in the morning, he would before retiring set the alarm mechanism to operate an electric light bulb in the signal mechanism at any suitable time later than 8:30 to provide a flashing red signal in his window which would continue flashing until it was manually turned off. Thus a neighbor, a patrolling policeman or others passing would see the flashing signal and could either come to the assistance of the person in the dwelling or call the proper authorities to attend to the matter and give whatever assistance was required to the person in the dwelling. In the event nothing happens, the person in the dwelling would upon arising in the morning operate the alarm shutoff mechanism to prevent operation of the signal until it was again set for operation.

It is quite possible that the lone person in the dwelling might become ill or require help during the night or at other times when the device is not set for operation of the signal and to provide for this contingency the present invention includes a remote manually operated switch connected in a circuit with the light bulb through a length of ordinary electric conducting wire, which switch may be placed in a position to be easily reached by the person when in bed, or taken by him about the dwelling in the daytime or placed convenient to a chair in which he normally sits, so that he could at any time reach and operate the manual switch to cause energizing of the visual signal, and thereafter break the circuit to the visual signal by operation of the remote switch.

Then also, in these days of rampant crime the visual signal could be operated by the lone person in the dwelling by means of the manual remote switch in the event of someone breaking and entering into his dwelling and thus flash a signal for help without audibly acquainting the intruder that such signal had been given with the result that the intruder might be apprehended or frightened away before consummating his crime by seeing the flashing signal.

With these and other objects in view, as may appear from the accompanying specification, the invention consists of various features of construction and combination of parts, which will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the visual signalling device;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the visual signalling device;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the circuitry and switches for controlling the excitation of the light bulb embodied in the visual signalling device.

Referring more particularly to the drawings:

The invention embodies an electric clock of usual construction of mechanism for operating the hands 1 and 2 of the clock over the face of the numeral-bearing dial 3 together with the usual type of alarm operating mechanism (not shown in detail) including the setting indicating hand 4 to determine the time at which the alarm will be operated as the hands 1 and 2 of the clock reach the time set by the alarm-indicating hand 4. The clock mechanism is enclosed in a housing 5 with the clock dial opening out through one side of the housing and with a panel of red translucent material, such as glass or plastic or the like carried by the housing and opening out therethrough. This translucent panel may, if it is so desired, have the word HELP either imprinted thereon or of a higher transparency than the panel itself so that the word will be clearly visible upon operation of the visual signal as hereinafter described.

The clock mechanism as previously stated embodies the usual type of alarm mechanism (not shown) which includes a switch 6 operated when the clock hands 1 and 2 reach a position to coincide with the time set by the alarm indicating hand 4. [n the usual construction of each electric clocks this switch, upon exciting operation sets off an audible alarm, however in the present invention the audible alarm is usually eliminated and an electric light bulb 8 and its carrying socket 9 is provided instead. The light bulb 8 is so located within the casing that when ignited it will illuminate and shine through the red panel carried by the housing. The usual push rod 10 is provided in the clock mechanism to render the alarm mechanism inoperative, so that a person may, at will either disconnect the alarm mechanism to prevent its operation when the clock hands reach the designated alarm operated time or to allow operation of the signal alarm when the clock hands reach the set time indicated by the alarm control hand 4.

While it is not shown in the drawings, it is to be understood that the signalling bulb 8 may be connected in the alarm circuit with the usual or a remote audible alarm so that both will operate in unison without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The person living alone will place the signalling device in a conspicious position in a window visible to neighbors or passers-by, with the red signalling panel clearly visible through the window, an set the alarm controlling hand 4 at a predetermined hour upon retiring. For instance, should the lone persons habitual rising time be 8 o'clock in the morning, he would set the alarm control hand 4, say for 8:15 or 8:30 or perhaps as late as 9:00 and should be fail to arise at that time through illness or for any reason of incapacitation, the clock hands reaching the time indicated by the alarm hand 4 would operate the alarm mechanism, energize the light bulb to notify neighbors or passers-by that the person in the dwelling was in need of help. Upon arising the person would merely shut off the alarm operating mechanism by means of the usual alarm control button rod 10, thus preventing operation of the visual signal.

However, there may be times when the person in the dwelling realizes he will need help at periods of time other than those for which the signalling system is set, and to pro vide for control and operation of the signalling system at such times a remote switch 20 of any easily and positively operated type, preferably a snap switch which will remain open or closed, when operated, is provided. This snap switch is connected in the light bulb igniting circuit to bypass the alarm mechanism operated switch so that by operation of this remote switch 20 the light bulb may be turned on or off independently of the alarm operated switch, thus permitting the person in the dwelling to operate the signal at any time from a position remote from the visual signalling device, such as while he is lying in bed, sitting in a chair, etc., thus indicating that help is needed regardless of the hour of day or night.

A flashing device 26 of the usual type which may be readily purchased upon the open market is shown in the circuit of the signalling light bulb so that when the circuit is on the light bulb will intermittently flash on and off to render its signalling operation more effective. These flashing devices which are usually of a thermal type are readily purchasable upon the open market.

From the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings it will be seen that a visual signalling device has been provided, which will indicate to neighbors or passers-by that a lone person is in need of help and assistance when such abnormal situations arise and that the signalling device may be set to operate at a predetermined time, should the person be unable to shut it off prior to such time as well as one which may be set in operation through the remote switch at any time in the event of the arising of an emergency and the invention is not to be limited to the specific construction and arrangement shown in the drawings and described herein but may be varied within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. A portable visual signal for indicating the need of help or assistance, a portable housing, an electric light bulb carried by said housing, an electrical connection connected to said light bulb for connection or disconnection with a source of electrical energy, an electrical clock mechanism placed within said housing and including an alarm mechanism, said alarm mechanism including a setting hand to indicate the time of operation thereof when the clock hands reach the time of the alarm hand setting, and means operated by said alarm mechanism for controlling the energizing and deenergizing of said light bulb upon operation of the alarm mechanism when the clockhands reach the time corresponding to the setting of said alarm mechanism setting hand, and manually operated means for rendering the alarm mechanism operable, and a manually operated remote switch connected to an electrical circuit to said bulb to permit energizing or deenergizing of the light bulb independently of the alarm mechanism operated switch.

2. A visual signalling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said remote switch is connected in the light bulb excitation circuit by a relatively long length of electric cord to permit operation of the signal at a distance from the clock mechanism.

3. In a visual signalling device as claimed in claim 2, a thermal flashing switch connected in the excitation circuit to the light bulb to provide on and offflashing of the light bulb.

4. A portable visual signal as claimed in claim I, wherein said housing has at least one translucent red panel therein located with respect to the light bulb so that the light rays from the bulb will be projected through the panel to provide a red visual signal 5. A portable visual signal as claimed in claim 4, wherein said housing has at least one translucent red panel therein located with respect to the light bulb so that the light rays from the bulb will be projected through the panel to provide a red visual signal. 

1. A portable visual signal for indicating the need of help or assistance, a portable housing, an electric light bulb carried by said housing, an electrical connection connected to said light bulb for connection or disconnection with a source of electrical energy, an electrical clock mechanism placed within said housing and including an alarm mechanism, said alarm mechanism including a setting hand to indicate the time of operation thereof when the clock hands reach the time of the alarm hand setting, and means operated by said alarm mechanism for controlling the energizing and deenergizing of said light bulb upon operation of the alarm mechanism when the clock hands reach the time corresponding to the setting of said alarm mechanism setting hand, and manually operated means for rendering the alarm mechanism operable, and a manually operated remote switch connected to an electrical circuit to said bulb to permit energizing or deenergizing of the light bulb independently of the alarm mechanism operated switch.
 2. A visual signalling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said remote switch is connected in the light bulb excitation circuit by a relatively long length of electric cord to permit operation of the signal at a distance from the clock mechanism.
 3. In a visual signalling device as claimed in claim 2, a thermal flashing switch connected in the excitation circuit to the light bulb to provide on and off flashing of the light bulb.
 4. A portable visual signal as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing has at least one translucent red panel therein located with respect to the light bulb so that the light rays from the bulb will be projected through the panel to provide a red visual signal
 5. A portable visual signal as claimed in claim 4, wherein said housing has at least one translucent red panel therein located with respect to the light bulb so that the light rays from the bulb will be projected through the panel to provide a red visual signal. 